US hopes India will exercise restraint on Anna Hazare's fast

Published: Friday, August 12, 2011, 14:33 [IST]

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Washington, Aug 12: Just days ahead of the proposed Aug 16 fast against corruption by Anna Hazare, the United States has hoped that the Indian government would exercise restraint in the manner with which it deals with the protest.

Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, during her daily news conference said, "As you know, we support the right of peaceful, non-violent protest around the world."

And added, "That said, India is a democracy, and we count on India to exercise appropriate democratic restraint in the way it deals with peaceful protest."

Though she did not mention, but the obvious reference was to the Delhi Police's crackdown on Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's protest at the Ramlila Maidan.

Anna Hazare is set to go on a fast from Aug 16 to protest against the government's version of the Lokpal Bill. He demands that the post of prime minister be included under the ambit of the Lokpal - a move which the government is reluctant to do.